Proclamations Proc. 7295 NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by section 2 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431), do proclaim that there are hereby set apart and reserved as the Giant Sequoia National Monument, for the purpose of protecting the objects identified in the above preceding paragraphs, all lands and interests in lands owned or controlled by the United States within the boundaries of the area described on the map enti- tled "Proposed Giant Sequoia National Monument" attached to and form- ing a part of this proclamation. The Federal land and interests in land re- served consist of approximately 327,769 acres, which is the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be pro- tected as identified in the above preceding paragraphs. All Federal lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of this monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from entry, location, se- lection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the public land laws in- cluding, but not limited to, withdrawal from locating, entry, and patent under the mining laws and from disposition under all laws relating to min- eral and geothermal leasing, other than by exchange that furthers the pro- tective purposes of the monument. Lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of the monument not owned by the United States shall be re- served as a part of the monument upon acquisition of title thereto by the United States. The establishment of this monument is subject to valid existing rights. Timber sales under contract as of the date of the proclamation and timber sales with a decision notice signed after January 1, 1999, but prior to De- cember 31, 1999, may be completed consistent with the terms of the deci- sion notice and contract. No portion of the monument shall be considered to be suited for timber production, and no part of the monument shall be used in a calculation or provision of a sustained yield of timber from the Sequoia National Forest. Removal of trees, except for personal use fuel wood, from within the monument area may take place only if clearly need- ed for ecological restoration and maintenance or public safety. The Secretary of Agriculture shall manage the monument, along with the underlying Forest, through the Forest Service, pursuant to applicable legal authorities, to implement the purposes and provisions of this proclamation. The Secretary of Agriculture shall prepare, within 3 years of this date, a management plan for this monument, and shall promulgate such regula- tions for its management as deemed appropriate. The plan will provide for and encourage continued public and recreational access and use consistent with the purposes of the monument. Unique scientific and ecological issues are involved in management of giant sequoia groves, including groves located in nearby and adjacent lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Serv- ice. The Secretary, in consultation with the National Academy of Sciences, shall appoint a Scientific Advisory Board to provide scientific guidance during the development of the initial management plan. Board membership shall represent a range of scientific disciplines pertaining to the objects to be protected, including, but not necessarily limited to, the physical, bio- logical, and social sciences. The Secretary, through the Forest Service, shall, in developing any manage- ment plans and any management rules and regulations governing the 63
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